Mohinder Amarnath opts out of panel to form players’ body

It has been learnt that Mohinder Amarnath informed the Committee of Administrators he would not be able to join the panel. The CoA will now approach the Supreme Court in its July 14 hearing to suggest names for reconstituting the panel, which only has former union home secretary, GK Pillai, (chairman) on board as of now.

Mohinder Amarnath was dropped as the national selector in 2012 amid reports of fallout with the BCCI for suggesting MS Dhoni’s axing as skipper after the 4-0 Test series defeats in England and Australia.(Getty Images)

Former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath had declined to join a steering committee, dealing a setback to the formation of an independent players’ association as recommended by the Justice RM Lodha panel report.

It is learnt the key member of the victorious 1983 World Cup-winning side informed the Committee of Administrators that he would not be able to join the panel.

The other members of the proposed committee originally suggested were Anil Kumble and former India women’s team skipper Diana Edulji. She is a CoA member while Kumble had recused himself when he took over as India head coach.

Waiting for SC nod

Pillai said work to form the players’ body – the Lodha panel had suggested an ‘association’ rather than a ‘union’ with focus on more player involvement. “We can start the work only after the Supreme Court reconstitutes the committee. Once that is done, the members will meet up and begin with the process. The task would be completed within a couple of months,” he said.

Lodha Committee report says “it shall be the task of the steering committee to identify and invite all eligible ex-cricketers to be members of the association, to open bank accounts, receive funds from the BCCI, conduct the first elections for office-bearers, communicate the names of BCCI player nominees to the Board and take all necessary steps in this regard.”

The CoA has also formed a three-member committee to formulate contracts and registration guidelines for player agents.

It is learnt the CoA has kept a provision to draft in two members of the players’ association into the committee. However, since the players’ body is in limbo, the members — Abhay Apte (Maharashtra association chief), Avishek Dalmiya (National Cricket Club president) and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri — have been tasked with preparing a structure as per the Lodha reforms.